Anxiety in Athens
1 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. n 2 And we sent Timothy, o our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, p to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.
Encouraged by Timothy
6 But now Timothy has come to us q from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you. r 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand firm s in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy t we experience before our God because of you, 10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face u and to complete what is lacking in your faith? v
Prayer for the Church
11 Now may our God and Father w himself, and our Lord Jesus, x direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love y for one another z and for everyone, just as we do for you. 13 May he make your hearts blameless a in holiness b before our God and Father at the coming c of our Lord d Jesus with all his saints. Amen.
3:1–2. This section (3:1–5) should be read in the light of Paul’s painful separation from the Thessalonians and his unfruitful attempts to return to the church (2:17–18; Ac 17:5–10). When he and his companions could no longer bear the agony and the weight of worry, they took action (cf. 3:5). Timothy’s mission was to “strengthen” or establish the church (3:2). In the NT this verb refers to being established in the faith, especially in the face of persecution and possible apostasy (Lk 22:43; Ac 18:23; Rm 16:25; 1 Th 3:13; 2 Th 3:3; 1 Pt 5:10; 2 Pt 1:12; Rv 3:2; and with new converts in Ac 14:22; 15:32, 41).
3:3–5. Timothy’s mission was prompted by concern Paul had about the Thessalonians’ stability in the midst of persecution (3:3a). Paul’s concern was their continuance in the faith. Apostasy was a real possibility (3:5). Paul adds that they were “appointed” for persecution (3:3b). Basic instruction given in the early church included a theology of suffering. Those who followed the crucified one would suffer as he did (Ac 14:22). Paul also recognized that the opposition to the church was spiritual and not only social. The “tempter” is Satan (3:5), the demonic power behind this persecution (cf. Eph 6:11–12), who also blocked the apostle’s attempts to return to the city (1 Th 2:18).
3:6–8. The event that prompted Paul to write this letter was Timothy’s return from his trip to Thessalonica (see 3:1–2). Timothy’s report was “good news” (3:6) and pointed out the Thessalonians’ “faith and love,” the distinctive virtues of those who are true members of the redeemed community (Gl 5:6; Eph 1:15; Col 1:4–5; 1 Th 1:3; 2 Th 1:3; 1 Tm 1:14; Phm 5 ). The mutuality of friendship (cf. Rm 1:10–11; 2 Co 1:7) finds expression in 3:7 as well. As Timothy was sent to encourage the believers (3:2), so now Paul is encouraged because of them (3:6).
3:9–10. At this point the letter explodes into thanksgiving and joy. The way Paul poses the question recalls Ps 116:12. Here, as in the psalm, thanksgiving to God is regarded as a debt to be paid, yet one impossible to pay in full (3:9). The principle of reciprocity is at the heart of the thanksgiving: to return thanks for a benefit received was an essential social obligation. Paul wants to return to make their faith complete (3:10; cf. Lk 6:40; Heb 13:21). The Thessalonians were ignorant of certain fundamental theological tenets (1 Th 4:13) and had forgotten some teaching they had already received (5:1–2). A visit would help put all this right.
3:11–12. The apostles now voice their prayer (3:11–13). The prayer is addressed to “our God and Father” (3:11), echoing Jesus when he taught the disciples to pray (Mt 6:9; and see Rm 8:15; Gl 4:6). But the prayer is also directed to “our Lord Jesus,” who is elevated to the same level as the Father.
3:13. The final portion of the prayer focuses on the church’s existence in light of its eschatological hope. The prayer is that their hearts, or persons, be made “blameless in holiness” (3:13a). “Blameless” appears frequently with regard to the moral life of a person as well, especially focusing on the final outcome of one’s life. “Holiness” denotes the condition of sanctification, a principal concern of the apostles regarding this congregation (4:3–4, 7; 5:23; 2 Th 2:13).